Shapiro says days of Six Flags mega-coasters could be over.

[hgonzo]

I was excited when Mark Shapiro mentioned that all parks were launching new "major attractions" for the 2011 anniversary season, but after reading the story in the following link, I don't know what he considers a major attraction. I was very optimistic about sfgam getting a great new coaster, now I'm not so sure we will see one anytime soon.

http://themeparks.about.com/b/2009/06/1 ... asting.htm

[coasterkid94]

I would love to see a new coaster at our park, but from a financial standpoint it doesn't make much sense. Large coasters mainly attract teenagers, who often come to the park on a limited budget. When families come to the park, they collectively spend more on food, merchandise, parking, games, etc. Six Flags parks have already captured people who want thrills, but they still need to work on drawing families with young children to the park.

[Coaster Justin]

I think they should go for the 48-54 inch Height Requirement. Think About it:


2006- Tornado: 48"
2007- Wiggle's World: 36-42"
2008- Dark Knight: 42"
2009- Buccaneer Battle: 42-48"

[tp41190]

I think they should go for the 48-54 inch Height Requirement. Think About it:


2006- Tornado: 48"
2007- Wiggle's World: 36-42"
2008- Dark Knight: 42"
2009- Buccaneer Battle: 42-48"

But what does height restriction have to do with building a fun and profitable ride?

We don't need more attendance. Our park is doing just fine and will do so for years regardless of a new coaster or not. For every SFGAm fan boy that says they wont come back there is always a family that has spending money to make up for it. Not to mention, once you buy a pass they have your money...go ahead boycott the park, its not going to get a new coaster.

[Coaster Justin]

We Need a Major League Thrill Ride. That's all I'm Saying, Tornado was our last Thrill Ride.

[Ilovthevu']

He said this awhile ago when Goliath came out that no more mega coasters. If you really think about it though, most of the major Six Flags parks have a mega coaster anyway. Retheming, wooden coasters, and the smaller coasters are the new Six Flags.

Let's go through the article.

"pointed to the previous management's investment of $50 million in Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure as a prime example of how it racked up insurmountable debt."
- This is a good point. It's not worth that much money for that type of roller coaster. I imagine a ride like Accelerator would be fun enough.

"and that he wants to add something new to every park each year."
-Wait, a minute he only has 100 million, but yet wants every park to get something every year.

"He also said that while Kings Island's Diamondback and Cedar Point's Maverick are great coasters (I'll
second that!), he doubts whether the parks will be able to realize a reasonable return on their investments."
-Well, it explains why Kings Island can't make back the money. You are putting a ride every year at Six Flags. Yeah, how could you make 25 million back (Diamondback wasn't even 25 million. It was like 22 million.)? Ever thought of 3 years without a coaster, or anything that costs around 7 million. A B&M bigger and longer roller coaster (15-20 million), nothing this year, 1 million this year, and nothing next year. Buccaneer Battle: 5 million (2009), Dark Knight 7.5 million (2008), Wiggle's World + Operation Spygirl - 8 million (2007). Hmmm, that's over 20 million.

"If I put in a $25-million coaster at one park, that leaves me with only $75 million for the rest."
-So, what's the big deal? I imagine Kings Island attendance would go up. Some parks don't always needs rides EVERY year!! SFGAm biggest attendance spikes were Hurricane Harbor in 2005, and Raging Bull in 1999. Doesn't that tell you something? You don't need new rides every year!!

"and said that the Bizarro coaster makeover at Six Flags New England cost $7 million."
-Was it worth 7 million to retheme it? The people are upset you take away a coaster they were going to get for a parade, you take away some of their flats, and they get a rethemed rides that was already good to begin with?

"Batman-themed The Dark Knight rides may not have been critical favorites"
- Are you sure about that? He admitted a mistake. What?? No, not the high and mighty Shapiro.

"but he added that Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Great America saw attendance increases of 200,000 and 100,000, respectively"
- Cheaper admission than ever. Ding, ding.

[onyxhotel08]

Wow...you REALLY naked it!

[saylorman47]

Wow...you REALLY naked it!

Ah, what?

[onyxhotel08]

nailed it on the head

[Goku1910]

Well this is a let down for me.

I have a feeling Six Flags America isn't the only one getting a thomas town...

[onyxhotel08]

HH expansion 2010
New Flat in SWF 2011
New coaster 2012

Yeah, I do think so

[Coaster Justin]

OK, if this Forum is going to go like That:

2010
New Hurricane Harbor Attraction (Zip Coaster?)
New Thing To Replace Trailblazer (Dark Ride?)

2011
New Thing To Replace Splash Water Falls (Major Ferris Wheel?)
New Thing To Replace Space Shuttle America (YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY HERE)

2012
New Coaster (Blue Fire?)
Overhaul of Bugs Bunny National Park (With More Kids Rides from Camp Cartoon)

[rct2wizard360]

I'm directly attacking Coaster Justin.
I won't be subtle.
I won't be sarcastic.

I'm just simply going to tell him, that we've all heard his little outline well over fifty times since he's signed up on these forums. The fact that you are able to assume that we can fill in the blank with a 40 passenger S&S Screamin' Swing is pretty sad.

First, we were getting a BIG coaster this year.
Wait no, maybe next year.
OH Shapiro said NO MORE big coasters... maybe the year after.

Hell, if roller coasters were no longer in production you people would still give it the chance of, "next year."

It's okay though I guess.
I mean, this was a subliminal image hidden deep within the coding on the roller coaster page of the Six Flags Great America website!



FLAMING BLUE FIRE UNICORN THE RIDE!!!!

[onyxhotel08]

ROTFLMAO!

[ttd rox]

^^I have my fingers crossed! I'm expecting a HH expansion, but what could possibly fill Trailblazers old spot? They recently stated (again) that they already planning new rides for next year to come to local parks. http://tinyurl.com/llsqwm What does this mean for Winner's Circle?

[DPFan]

It seems to make perfect sense to invest in the park's landscpae and theme for the few upcoming seasons. If the company is looking to put a cap on their budget ($100 mil), why not direct a portion of those funds towards improving the overall park atmosphere?

Shapiro is obviously admitting that the past management's decisions to only focus on new flashy rides was a drastic mistake...one that drove the company to the situation it is currently in. If they are looking to fix the mistakes made in the past...maybe they should re-think their game-plan with adding a new attraction to each park. Maybe the plan should include a new addition to each park, but more in terms of an improvement to each park.
Like a new parade.
Re-theming a ride OR a section of the park.
Fixing walkways and lights
Re-painting all those faded areas
Applying more thought to overall planning and using available spaces to the best abilities

[onyxhotel08]

Maybe cutting prices a bit on things like sodas, food, merchandise...just a little bit to show they know money doesn't grow on trees. Paint rides. Don't spend more than one season appealing to only one demographic. First thing first SSA & SWF.

[Goku1910]

^Lowered ticket prices with so many deals like the coke cans etc.

That attracted many people and the profits went sky-rocketing.
So, even if it's a $1.00 reduction for food, I'd be a happy guest

[onyxhotel08]

If they wan't to get rid of stuff from years back like the old tea cups with rides like Vu on them....they should lower them or provide better deals buy one get one 50% off

[tillenterprises]

I understand that they want to attract families, but I have to think that they are probably second-guessing their decision to put Bucanneer Battle in. This summer has been cold and the times I've been there, there have been little to no line- for a brand new attraction, nonetheless. While I think it can be a fun ride, I don't think it was the best investment for our park, with the cool temperatures and short season. If they had to add this to our park, I think putting in the waterpark area would've made more sense. I think a park like SFOG or SFOT would've been a better choice for Bucanneer Battle. I think an attraction like Scooby Doo Ghostblasters would've been a bigger hit and a better fit for our park, and it could be open from April through Fright Fest.

[onyxhotel08]

Excellent point.

[Luxornv]

You people who always hold hope that next season we'll get a huge coaster must be Cubs fans

[monsterfan99]

You people who always hold hope that next season we'll get a huge coaster must be Cubs fans

You sir, win.

[Goku1910]

You people who always hold hope that next season we'll get a huge coaster must be Cubs fans

........But I'm a sox Fan...

[frightfestkid]

but, umm, im a cubs fan but i dont think were getting a big coaster next year....